Net Worth: Nets 102, Bobcats 89

The Nets went to a Gerald Wallace/Deron Williams pick and roll almost exclusively in the first quarter. Lots of good came out of it: Wallace was able to pop for jumpers, slip for jumpers or the action created cuts on the help side for other Nets offense.

Secured a double-double midway through the third quarter and kept rolling from there. Avery Johnson was hardly able to keep Humphries off the floor tonight but despite logging lots of minutes his energy never decreased. 20 and 16 was good for Humphries’ team leading 22nd double-double.

Shelden played a productive game tonight. His double-double was a sign of his activity and his legs looked fresh and live tonight. Evidenced by the separate odd man breaks that Williams LED in the first quarter!

Deron Williams juggled the battle point guards always have between looking for his own shot and getting others involved beautifully tonight. He started the game by facilitating and getting everyone involved. His unselfishness paid off as both Shelden Williams and Kris Humphries scored early. In the second half, Williams was able to be more assertive looking for his own shot.

MarShon was much more aggressive tonight than he’s been in the past few games, especially off the dribble. His dribble attack got him some lay-ups and more importantly trips to the FT line. He battled on defense as well.

Showed the (what could be) breadth of his offensive game. Was active around the rim getting tips and put backs, scored on an aggressive cut and even showed off a feathery jump shot from 10 feet and out. Will be interesting to see what a full off-season of strength and conditioning can do for this kid.

Three Things We Saw

If the Nets prove nothing else this season they’ve proved they are a better team than the Charlotte Bobcats, winning the series 4-0.

Starters getting it done. Avery Johnson leaned on his starting five heavily tonight and it paid off. For just the third time all season every starter scored in double figures.

Jordan Farmar makes a big difference in our team. The impact he makes on each game is subtle but is there. It’s that slight bridging of the gap that he provides from the time Deron goes to the bench until the time he checks back in. Farmar just has more tools than the other Nets backup point guards and that little bit of offense he provides goes a long way.